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by Jackie Kent,KOMONewsReporter
SEATTLE — The penalties for failing to update car registration in Washington could soon cost drivers more money.
A new proposal goes after violators with expired tabs, and parked cars could get ticketed even while in a parking garage.
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Sen. Curtis King, the bill's prime sponsor, told KOMO News he brought forth this bill because of missed revenue, and because the state patrol advised the agency cannot ticket someone with expired tabs unless they are driving.
People renewing their vehicle registration at Georgetown Licensing in Seattle on Friday told KOMO News they know at least one person who drives knowing their tabs are expired.
“A lot of people have a lot of hard times these days,” driver Mathew Labarge explained.
“I see people pull up that have 2022 tabs,” added Clem Haick, from Burien.
Haick believes that's, in part, because of the extra fees and taxes like the Regional Transit Authority tax that pays for Sound Transit.
“I think if it was more reasonable, people would renew their tabs,” Haick stated.
Sen. King is trying to make it fairer that all drivers pay for their tabs by boosting the penalties.
“In transportation, we’re struggling to maintain our roads and bridges and highways, and I think those 600,000 people [estimated to have expired tabs] need to contribute, just like everybody else,” he said.
His Senate Bill 7167 would increase the fee by a few bucks to $145 for having tabs expired for less than two months, and any longer raises the fee to $248. Sen. King said the total increase is still up for debate.
The biggest change is that drivers could get a ticket if the car is parked on a public street or lot, or in a private lot with the owner's permission for enforcement.
As of now, officers can only give a traffic infraction for expired car tabs while someone is driving, then pulled over.
Drivers seemed split on whether this is the right approach.
“Maybe a little more grace,” Labarge said.
“I think people should pay their tabs. I mean, the rest of us are following the law,” Haick explained.
The proposal also highlights the current law that says parked vehicles on the street with expired tabs for more than 45 days can be towed.
Additionally, people who register out of state for the cheaper rates can get stiff fees or even jail time.
While a CARFAX report from Summer 2025 estimates there were 593,000 expired registrations in Washington at the start of the year, a Department of Licensing spokesperson told KOMO News the agency does not track or issue a report on expired registrations.
"It’s impossible to know how many vehicles have expired registrations. There could be a variety of reasons people don’t renew – perhaps they’ve sold their vehicle, they moved out of state, or they decided to keep the car in the garage for years," Christine Anthony with the department explained, adding they track only active registrations.
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